The entries were sent, judges have slaved over details, and now the region's Indigenous artists have their moment in the online spotlight.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Initiated as a way to connect Indigenous artists with the wider community, Joblink Plus' art competition has hit new heights.
The project has seen far greater interest this time around, with organisers expecting the project to only grow further.
Unable to have an in-person exhibition, pictures of the art have been collated and uploaded online, now ready for sale - with many already sold hot off the web.
Every cent of the money goes straight to the artist, enhancing the project's aim of raising our local creatives' profiles in the community and connecting them to a wider audience.
With over 80 entrants from 20 different locations, it's more than double the interest seen last year.
"We are extremely proud," Sophie Schuman-Maude said.
"It's been a massive jump which was welcome and very exciting for us.
"We didn't expect this, especially over the summer holidays when people had a difficult time with the bushfires.
"But what we found when the entries came out, even though there was no theme, a lot of art was themed around the bushfires."
But what we found when the entries came out, even though there was no theme, a lot of art was themed around the bushfires.
- Organiser and communications manager, Sophie Schumann-Maude
As competition organiser and communications manager, Ms Schumann-Maude said even with a new junior category this year, they are considering opening up the parameters even wider next time around.
"We received a lot of interest from all over the country, and even from Papua New Guinea," she exclaimed.
"Basically, at the moment it is open to people within the Job Link Plus footprint."
The five judges tasked with deciding the first, second and third place had a "really tough time", she said, as the quality of the submissions was phenomenal.
READ ALSO
The judges were cultural development officer from Tamworth Regional Council Andrea Bruno, local Didgeridoo player Mark Atkins, CEO of Joblink Plus Christine Shewry, regional manager and Wiradjuri man Matt Mcintyre, as well as local artist Penelope Shephard.
David Ferris from Armidale was named the winner, taking home an impressive $3000 for 'The Roo of Life'.
Elermore Vale artist Maree Bisby received second place with 'Eternalism', and Nicholas Levy, also from Armidale, took home third place with his 'Black Cockatoo'. They took $2000 and $1000 respectively.
Winner of the junior category went to 'Turtles in the Night' by Jessi Fotheringham from Tamworth.